If you grew up in the 1960s or 70s, and you read comic books or monster magazines, chances are you came across this ad. You may remember it as an ad for the Absolutely FREE Giant Life-Size Moon Monster (which was actually a black and white poster):

When you look closer, you’ll notice this ad offered so much more than just the poster. In fact, the poster is only one of the benefits of joining the Horror Fan Club!

Look What you Get

Life Size reproduction of a Movie Monster (see above)

12 4×5 glossy photos of your favorite Movie Monsters:

Monster Fan Club membership card and Badge:

Official Club Bulletin showing latest Monster Films releases complete with pictures and stories!

Its all FREE when you join the Monster Fan Club

Membership Fee $1. 00 – No Dues or Other Charges

You’ll note that this Fan Club was called the Horror Fan Club in magazines, but the four-color comic book version of the ad changed the name to the Monster Fan Club, presumably to get around the Comic Code Authority. While the ad was CCA approved, all the paper you got for joining the club said Horror Fan Club regardless of whether joined the Horror Fan Club or the Monster Fan Club. Doubtless, this led to plenty of head-scratching by those who joined through the comic-book ad.

But wait! That’s not all!

Extra Bonus! 3 MONSTER MASKS

Terrifying life-like reproductions of Movie Monsters.

They’re Ghostly. They’re Frightening!

All of this and a Money Back Guarantee too! Of course, what the ad didn’t specify, the masks were actually pictures of monster masks. All in all, the entirety of the Fan Club package consisted of pieces of paper and a pin-back button, making the membership kit actually worth about the one dollar membership fee (plus postage).

I stared at this ad for hours, month after month, year after year, but I never joined the club or knew anyone who did. In retrospect, I’m sure I would have been disappointed in the reality of these items. Like most of the novelties advertised in comic books and monster magazines of that time, the ads fueled my imagination and I cherish them for it.

More recently, multi-media artist Jason Willis pulled all of this nostalgic greatness together into one multi-media treat for us in one of his annual Halloween projects. Watch his version of a TV spot for the Horror Fan Club below and then visit his website to download your own Horror Fan Club life-like monster masks and member kit:

Collectors Resources

Individual pieces of the fan club membership kit come up for sale on occasion. In my recent search, I found an actual full-page ad for the Moon Monster poster from a 1971 comic available on eBay :

So what about you, reader? Did you ever succumb to the siren’s call of this magical Fan Club? Did this incredible life-like giant monster poster adorn your bedroom wall? Did you found a local chapter of the Horror Fan Club in your basement? Share your memories with us in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.